Kyrenia Animal Rescue Home Page

Recent KAR Meeting

Kyrenia Animal Rescue chairman Margaret Ray and committee member Anita Woods had a successful meeting with Sahap Asikoglu, under secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture on Friday October 9th at the Ministry building in Lefkosa. Also present were Dogan Sahir Director of the Green Action Group and star of local television Ertac Hazer.
Matters discussed included the constant indiscriminate use of lethal poisons which kills not only dogs cats but also wildlife . The continuing damage to the environment following the decomposition of carcasses and the many consequences was also discussed.
Mr Asikoglu reassured that an incinerator was to be built with EU money but he was unable to say when that would be. Registration of all owned dogs was something that Mr Asikoglu felt strongly about and he promised to lobby the relevant departments to make sure registration was carried out in all districts.
The neutering of all owned dogs was also something he felt should be encouraged by the Government and he promised to support KAR in this campaign.

L to R Margaret Ray, Dogan Sahir,Sahap Asikoglu, Anita Woods, Ertac Hazar.

Kyrenia Animal Rescue Launch Education Programme for Schools

After months of planning KAR has successfully launched an Educational Programme for schools.

Last week the Education Team visited Sunnylane School to teach a class of 22 Year 2 children about their animals’ basic needs and care. Pam Kennedy and Maggie Smith, both of who have educational backgrounds and teaching experience, delivered the programme.

The programme complies with the QCA scheme of work for Citizenship, ‘Animals and us’. Students were taught about animal welfare; the rights and needs of animals; responsible pet ownership and keeping safe and sound around dogs. Pam Kennedy said “The aim of the programme is to develop positive attitude, values and behaviour towards animals in the minds of the next generation”.

Maggie Smith went on to say “ The content of the programme has been adapted from The RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Kennel Club teaching resources, and as well as learning how to look after their cat or dog the children were given information about staying safe around dogs as well”.

The 22 students in the class all worked very enthusiastically, especially when doing role play! The children all received an information pack in which they could keep all their worksheets, and were presented with a Certificate of Achievement.

On behalf of Kyrenia Animal Rescue, Pam and Maggie would like to say thank you to the staff of Sunnylane School, for their help and support and for the interest shown in continuing involvement.

If anyone is interested in further details regarding the Education Programme, please contact the team on:
0533 869 4098 or email: kar@kyreniaanimalrescue.org

Pictures on Location Gallery

Creditwest Bank show support KAR

Kyrenia Animal rescue Chairman Margaret Ray collected the KAR ‘Any year’ Calendar from Assistant General Manager Şükrü Atamen at the Creditwest Lefkosa head office this week.
Margaret Ray told Cyprus Today, “When the Calendar was being put together KAR approached Creditwest Bank to see if they would like to advertise on the Calendar and to our surprise and delight the Bank took on all of the printing and liaising with the printers in Turkey. The result is a fantastic Calendar that can be used as an ordinary single year Calendar or as an Anniversary Calendar year after year. KAR volunteers designed the pages then the design was handed over to Ayşem Öztenay who worked with the printers.

The quality is superb and KAR are very grateful to Ayşem Öztenay who handled the whole thing from Creditwest in Lefkosa and Assistant General Manager Şükrü Atamen for their support which means a great deal to KAR”

Şükrü Atamen commented “The cost is small to Creditwest Bank and we are happy to support those who care. Kyrenia Animal Rescue does a fantastic job, we were very happy to help and we hope to be able to help more in the future.”
Calendars are on sale at the Kyrenia Animal Rescue office, Charity Shop, Pegasos Friday Market, Rescue Centre and Supermarket Begs.

Kyrenia Animal Rescue meets with Ministry Representative

Kyrenia Animal Rescue Executive Committee members Margaret Ray and Anita Woods had a meeting last week with The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture General Manager Ramadan Gökşan.

The meeting, held at the Government Veterinary department in Lefkosa, was to discuss the Governments stand on the miss-use of lethal poisons and other animal welfare issues.

KAR Chairman Margaret Ray said after the meeting “KAR went to the meeting with a list of subjects to be dicsussed. One of the main topics being KAR’s neutering campaign. This is the neutering of domestic animals in an attempt to control the animal population in a humane way.

Unfortuantly at the moment the Government are unable to assist KAR with their requst for an island wide poster campaign linked with free or reduced price neutering . Resources are such that there is very little available for domestic animals. The miss-use of poison was also discussed at length and KAR feels confident that things will eventually improve.”

Ramadan Gökşan said, “We are very upset about this (the poisonings) these things are police matters. We are Veterinary Officers. The law is the most important thing. We hope in our country soon, to do something with this law. We have a lot of problems with all animals. We are starting with the most important problems such as Zoonosis diseases that can affect human health. We have to deal with these things. These things take money; we do not have enough money or staff. We hope things will change”.
Mrs. Ray continued, “ KAR have a good relationship with the Government Veterinary department and Mr Gökşan is a great supporter of the work that KAR does and we will continue to work together where possible to improve the animal welfare on the island.”

KAR calls for reforms on the use of poisons.
by: Marion Stuart
Fifty people of various nationalities gathered at the Watermill Hotel, Girne, by kind permission of Kemal Sivrikaya, for a meeting called by KAR (Kyrenia Animal Rescue) to discuss the indiscriminate use of poison and to try to get the government to control its availability and use.

Amongst those present were representatives of KUSKOR and the Malatya/Incescu Action Group, together with many people whose domestic pets had died through ingesting poisonous meat. The apologies of BARK (Bogaz Animal Rescue Kennels) were tendered, as were those of the two Vets invited, who were unable to attend due to work and sickness.

It was commented from the floor that it was a deep disappointment that no police, nor government nor municipality representatives had accepted the invitation to be present, nor indeed any Turkish Cypriots or Turks – the latter possibly due to language difficulties. However, it was noted that two Cypriots had come solely to add their names to the petition containing some two thousand signatures which KAR intends to present to the appropriate officials in the near future.

Following an official welcome from Margaret Ray, Chairperson of KAR, and an explanation for the purpose of the meeting and the hopes for future achievement to improve lifestyle by way of new remedial government measures concerning the dangerous poisons which are readily available over the counter and which are used to kill domestic and other animals, people were invited to share their own experiences.

Some harrowing tales of death of pets were shared, from which it was obvious that in the entire north of the island no areas are excluded from this cruel, outmoded method of ridding neighbourhoods of animals deemed to be nuisances. It is an island wide problem, and is not accidental.

Stories were told of dogs being taken from locked gardens; eating poisoned meat whilst being walked on leads; suffering cruelly as poisons took effect almost immediately while helpless owners could do nothing but watch, as well as tourists finding dead dogs whilst on mountain walks, some of which were hunting dogs. It was rumoured that in some instances, inexperienced hunters will acquire dogs just for the hunting season, then either abandon them or poison them rather than have the expense of keeping them for months ahead.

Another major problem is the age old practice of shepherds leaving poison to kill predators to their flocks left out on the hills. Some shepherds admit to the practice as being justified to keep their flocks from harm, but seem unaware of any knock on effect to domestic animals.

Margaret Ray read out the Cruelty to Animals Law which dates from 1959, which talks of fines and imprisonments for any person found to be guilty of harming any animal. Unfortunately for any prosecution to take place there MUST be a witness prepared to give evidence, and this is rarely found. The police often showed extreme concern when cases were reported, but were extremely hampered in any investigation due to the impossible task of finding witnesses. Ms Ray also advised that shortly new Laws would be implemented, and it was hoped these would soon be made public.

Concern was expressed at the number of poisons readily available to the public, and one even greater concern was the ignorance of many vendors. One lady advised how she had asked for Rat Poison, and on being given the product, asked “ Is this harmful to animals such as cats and dogs” and was told “No – it is harmless to animals.” The packet did in fact state categorically that not only was it harmful to animals, it was harmful to humans; should be kept away from children; should not be touched with a naked hand; should be stored in a safe place, and further stated what antidote should be used in the event of any human accidentally swallowing any. Unfortunately ALL the instructions were in Italian, and hence very few people would know the danger of using such a product.

The meeting was advised by KAR Committee that pet owners should always have a supply of antidotes available, if only to give time to make the journey to a vet for proper treatment. Antidotes ‘bought’ extra time by stopping the poison reaching the lungs and also helped reduce vomiting temporarily.

In the long term, however, the first priority was to persuade the appropriate members of Government to accept the petition and to recognise the dangers of indiscriminate use of poison to children as much as to pets, and to bring in new measures which would control the ease of purchase of poisons and their subsequent abusive use. A voice in the meeting was heard to point out “Mr Talat recently showed concern about a cat that had its head stuck in a tin, so hopefully the government might take us seriously.”Margaret Ray said it was hoped that the Petition would be presented within the month, but in the meantime all concerned people could help in two ways. Firstly if any poison is seen by way of chunks of meat, or chicken bones, then this should be picked up and disposed of in a responsible manner, and secondly one member at the meeting will arrange for an e mail ‘chain’ to be drawn up so that if any poison is seen in any particular area, then an e mail or phone call can be made to warn others in the same locality.

The meeting ended with Margaret Ray appealing for continued support from those present and many more members of the community, in particular Turkish speaking peoples who also own pets, to help pressure the government to take active steps for change so that the needless suffering and loss of lives of innocent animals can come to an end which would also result in a greater protection to the environment. “We need to maximise support and hope as many of you as possible will stand alongside us when we present the Petition, and please remember that all animals are special. Most of the animals being poisoned are part of a family, much loved, someone's friend and companion. No individual has the right to kill an animal and in the extremely cruel and brutal way as with poison. KAR will continue to do everything within their power to stop it happening.”

(1071) copyright Marion Stuart

WASH n SQUASH
Kyrenia Animal Rescue would like to remind people to 'wash and squash' their empty food cans. "It is important to wash out any empty cans, especially pet food, as the smell of cat or dog food is too tempting for a hungry cat. KAR have rescued a number of cats with their heads firmly stuck in a can" KAR spokesperson Anita Woods reported. "The cat is unable to remove the tin unaided, the resulting slow death from starvation, or worse still, in the hot weather does not bare thinking about. It only takes a moment to wash the tin and then squash the opening flat. It is a simple but necessary thing to do in a country with no recycling".

KITTENS CRY FOR HELP
Calling all cat lovers. Kyrenia Animal Rescue are asking cat lovers with a little spare time and some love in their hearts, to foster abandoned and orphaned kittens. "Every year dozens and dozens of kittens are brought to KAR. They are usually tiny things in need of some T.L.C. Kitten fosterers are needed to care for the youngsters until they are old enough to go to the Rescue Centre. KAR will provide the food and pay for any veterinary treatment needed" said KAR Chairperson Margaret Ray. "We do have a few ladies who foster kittens, but we desperately need more.The care period is normally just a few weeks." Full 'training' and support will be given by experienced fosterers. Any one interested should telephone the KAR office on 0533 869 4098.

Poisoner Targets Rescue Centre

The poisoning of animals in North Cyprus is a daily nightmare with street dogs and feral cats, as well as domestic pets, being killed in this most horrific way. The main culprits appear to be shepherds who believe that they are 'protecting their flocks', and local councils attempting to rid their town or village of unwanted dogs that are the result of years of uncontrolled breeding by unneutered dogs which have been allowed to roam freely by irresponsible owners.

Recently incidents of poisoning have escalated far beyond any acceptable number. Dogs at the KAR Rescue Centre now appear to targets for poisoning. No less that six dogs have been deliberately poisoned by a person or persons unknown when poisoned meat has been placed in and around the Rescue Centre undercover of night. The affected dogs are only alive thanks to the quick thinking of staff who rushed the animals to local Vet Firdez. Working with her assistant Lindsay she has managed to save them. The long term brain and nerve damage to these dogs has yet to be confirmed.

In response to this outrage the KAR committee announced that a £500 reward would be paid in exchange for information leading to a successful conviction. Friends and supporters have acted swiftly and pledges have been received to cover the reward offer. In the event of pledges or donations being received in excess of £500, the Committee will announce how the extra money will be used.

New Water Tanks
Kyrenia Animal Rescue (KAR) are happy to announce that thanks to the hard work of volunteers and the generosity of local business people, some much needed improvements and alterations have taken place at the charity's Arapkoy Animal Rescue Centre.

Two water tanks that were purchased with money donated by Meridies Homes, a local independent Estate Agents and Janet and Brian Wing, were finally plumbed in last week.

Brain and Janet Wing are keen supporters of KAR and have recently given a new home, in England, to one of KAR's canine residents. Meridies Homes proprietors Sophie Butcher and Esref Govsa donated enough money to pay for one of the two six ton tanks. Sophie told Cyprus Today, "Kyrenia Animal Rescue do such a wonderful job under very difficult circumstances; we are always happy to help them out wherever we can. I can't bare to think what would happen if they could no longer afford to continue the work they do. We should all put our hands in our pockets to help out."

'Handyman' volunteers worked for two days to disconnect the old rusting tanks and install the huge new plastic ones.

KAR Treasurer Lynda Jorgensen said, "The men, husbands of one of the centre employees, one of the charity shop volunteers and friends of KAR, rallied round to help us. It really does restore your faith. Our thanks go to Barry Mort, Ray Penlington, Ron Hugo and Brian Godfrey. Davron Builders, who supplied the water tanks, not only sold them to KAR at a discounted price, but also gave a small plastic water tank free of charge. We can't thank them enough. The much needed, and long awaited, new compound to re house the smaller terrier type dogs is now complete. Although KAR had to buy the metal, gravel and cement a cash donation from Stringers Estates, helped to pay for the materials.The labour was given free of charge by Yigor Property Developments Ltd, and again, huge thanks go to them. Jane Knobel and her husband George, are steadily making new kennels for the compounds; some out of wooden packing crates that have been used to ship people's belongings to Cyprus. They make great kennels, so if you know anyone with crates that they want to get rid of, give KAR a ring. All this kindness and generosity really makes a difference, lets hope it inspires others to act in the same way."

Photograph shows Louise Cuthbertson, representing Meridies Homes with 'Graham', standing in front of one the new 6 ton water tanks.

KAR in 'Crisis'.......from Cyprus Today newspaper

“For the last two years KAR has lost money,” reported a spokesperson. “Obviously, we are not a profit making concern, but we have to balance our incomings with out outgoings, and this is just not happening.”

“There is a misconception that KAR is a wealthy Charity. This is far from the truth. Yes, we have an active and successful fundraising group and our Charity Shop raises hundreds of YTL per week but our outgoings are far exceeding our income. People see the vehicles on the road and assume that they have been purchased from extensive KAR funds, but the original VW van was donated by the RSPCA and the two more recent vans were bought with money left to the charity by generous benefactors.

People are very quick to ’phone the helpline and they expect an instant collection if there are problem dogs in their area, if they have found abandoned puppies, or if they see an injured animal at the side of the road. It seems that no thought is given to how KAR are supposed to deal with those unwanted animals or where the money will come from in order to treat and care for these animals. We really are at crisis point,” stated the spokesperson.

It is feared that, unless the current financial situation improves, the Charity will have to cease the service that it provides to the Kyrenia district. The knock-on effect of that does not bear thinking about.

“To be frank, people tend to take the Charity for granted and assume that KAR, like the RSPCA in the UK has a bottomless money pot and can sort out every animal problem. I am sure people are not aware of the daily financial struggle. For example, the Rescue Centre needs between 300 and 400 YTL a month for water deliveries alone. The old water tanks leak, so a great deal of the water drips away. KAR has recently purchased two new water tanks with the help of private contributions and a generous local Estate Agent’s donation. But now KAR is unable to spare the money to have them plumbed in. The weekly food bill for the sick, neglected and ill-treated animals, that have been either dumped on or have been rescued by KAR, totals: 193.62 YTL for cats and kittens and: 1,160.00 YTL for dogs and puppies. This only takes in to account the resident animals and does not include the neuter and return dogs that have to be fed while recovering from their operations. The Rescue Centre staff wages have to be paid (more than £2,000 per month); work permits have to be bought; tax and social Sigorta has to be paid; fuel used to run the vehicles has to be bought; animal food has to be bought; and monthly Vets’ bills have to be paid (more than £1,000 per month) … and so it goes on. There was a time when there were not many ‘charities’ collecting money within the TRNC; but now there are many ‘good causes’, and people have only so much spare cash that they are willing to donate. Although KAR is a TRNC registered charity it receives no financial dispensations from the government so it has to pay KDV - but it is unable to claim any back.”

KAR has already noticed a drop in donations this year as a result of the lack tourists. If the number of tourists this coming summer is as low as has been predicted, then it does not bode well for KAR.

Cost cutting has already started in a number of ways, the KAR spokesperson said.

“Army waste food will soon have to become the main diet for the Rescue Centre’s adult healthy dogs. Although this sounds satisfactory, it has to be mentioned that the waste is made up of bread, beans, salad, bones and pasta with very little or no meat and the toothpicks, cigarette ends, chicken bones, matches, citrus peel and other rubbish has to be removed; and, of course, the dustbins of slops have to be collected,” said the concerned KAR spokesperson. “ People who telephone the KAR office asking for help with neutering cats will be asked to wait until the Cat Catching teams can get to them. KAR can no longer afford to hand veterinary payment slips to people who are able to afford to have their pets neutered. People, who take home unneutered dogs and cats from the streets will in the future have to pay their own Vet bills. KAR has always felt proud that it has been able to help those who ask for assistance; but now it will only be able to help those in real need. It will not be possible to cover the cost of operations on animals belonging to people who can afford to pay. Sadly, the Charity can no longer pay for every operation requested by the public.”

The spokesperson reported that even the sending of dogs to new homes in Germany has stopped. “Because the dogs are being sent from a ‘non European’ country, they have to undergo many expensive blood tests to prove that they are healthy, and the cost of these tests makes it too expensive to continue sending dogs,” the spokesperson continued, “KAR really is a victim of it's own success.”

KAR rely solely on donations for funding, please help us to help the animals of
Northern Cyprus.

UK Bank Account Details for your kind Donations:

Bank: HSBC plc, Market Street, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3AA, UK
Sort Code: 40-21-02
Account Number: 11364812

or you can post your donation to us address details on Contact Page, cheques made payable to:
KYRENIA ANIMAL RESCUE

Also look out for the highly decorated collection boxes in restaurants and holiday complexes when in North Cyprus.

Please email kar@kyreniaanimalrescue.org with any comments or suggestions for our web site.